Barcelona to Appeal Decision to Ban Club For Next 2 Transfer Windows

FIFA hit FC Barcelona with a ban that forbids Barcelona from participating in the next two transfer windows, after an investigation alleged the club breached regulations relating to the registration and acquisition of foreign players less than 18 years of age. If the ban stands, it means Barcelona cannot make any new transfer signings until the summer of 2015.

Not surprisingly, FC Barcelona made an announcement that they will appeal the two-transfer window ban imposed by FIFA, and distanced itself from a number of issues raised by football’s governing body. Barca gave a lengthy statement defending its conduct and outlined its determination to fight FIFA and, if necessary, take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Barcelona has also requested that they would like to register players while the appeal is on-going.

Barca’s defense centers on its insistence that the club are helping youngsters develop, both on a personal basis and as footballers, and that no civil law has been breached as the minors remain legal residents within the country.

The La Liga holders argued that they “Put people way before sportsmen which has not been considered by FIFA and applies to their penalty criteria of ignoring educational functioning in our training programme.”

They further added, “Some of the players affected by the filing of FIFA have been summoned by the Catalan football federation to participate in regional championships.”

Barcelona even said that they have requested FIFA to change the rules on the protection of minor footballers on numerous events and their La Masia training center has always been given good and fair reviews by the governing body of soccer.